Yes, if adopted: Victorville’s proposed infill rules would limit the height and placement of new multifamily buildings next to single family homes. The rules cover projects of two or more units, not single family homes on their own lots.
What the city is deciding
On October 14, the Planning Commission was asked to recommend that the City Council approve the code amendment and find it exempt from the state environmental review law (CEQA). The Commission only recommends; the City Council decides. Objective design standards are fixed, measurable rules that do not depend on personal judgment.
Where and who it affects
The proposal applies to multifamily and mixed use residential developments with two or more units in identified Infill Areas. The staff report generally places the area between Rancho Road, Bear Valley Road, Ridgecrest Road and U.S. Highway 395. The exact map boundaries are not in the documents read. Single family homes on their own lots and projects outside the Infill Areas are not covered by this proposal.
What it could mean for your property
Where a multifamily building’s rear or side property line touches a parcel zoned for single family homes, the floors above the second would have to step back 15 feet for every two floors. Within 50 feet of an existing single family residence, no part of a multifamily building with five or more units could be taller than one story.
Buildings could be no longer than 250 feet. If average front setbacks on six nearby developed residential lots exceed the normal minimum, that average would apply, with a minimum of 10 feet.
Freestanding lights within 15 feet of a property line beside a single family residential zone could be no taller than 12 feet. Outdoor lighting could not exceed 1,000 lumens. Parking would not be allowed in front or street side setback areas except on approved driveways serving individual homes.
The amendment would not approve any project or add development rights. Each project would still get its own environmental review.
Questions to ask before you buy or build
- Is this property inside a city identified Infill Area?
- Does the proposed building sit within 50 feet of an existing single family home?
What happens next
The documents read do not record the Commission’s October 14 vote or direction. They also do not give a City Council hearing date. Because more than one thousand owners are affected, the city published a newspaper notice instead of mailing letters.